October marks ten years of war in Afghanistan; the longest war in American History. I have been doing a bit of reading about wars-gone-by and was shocked to discover the sacrifice our communities used to make when our country went to war. This war (whether you agree with it or not) has been borne on the backs of young men and women who've volunteered in the prime of their lives to serve something or someone or some idea or belief system.  Nevertheless, they are sacrificing selflessly and I am here in America, consuming food, gas and soda pop. So I began to think, what exactly did our country used to sacrifice during wartime and what could I do to help more with this silent war?

Did you know in WWII hemlines and cuffs were monitored and rationed!?  Not only that but Tires, Cars, Bicycles, Gasoline, Fuel, Oil, Kerosene, Stoves, Rubber Footwear, Shoes, Sugar, Coffee , Processed Foods, Meats, Canned Fish, Cheese, Canned Milk, Fats and Typewriters!!! Now I'm not saying I couldn't use a little fat rationing! The other thing that the government requested was that  individuals and families grow a garden so that we'd eat our own vegetables and save the quality farm crops for the troops stationed overseas. This was to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort. Not only that, it was considered a "morale booster in that gardeners felt empowered by their labor and rewarded by the fresh produce." Who doesn't need a morale booster right about now? And before you go all Eleanor Roosevelt on me and tell me that we're going to be taking food from our own farmers, do me a favor and look at the label on that package of pineapple.
  
#1 PLANT A GARDEN
So I planted a garden. Inspired by the visionary work of Lauren Bon and the Metabolic Studio (see link below) and armed with my list,  I went to Home Depot (because they're awesome) and got ten starter plants and put them in clay pots. My amazing landlord said I could use part of the yard to start the garden. 80 bucks later, I have a war garden. But I live in a cold climate you protest!  Okay. Fair enough. What can you do? What can you ration? Can you go to the farmer's market and buy local produce and meats? As for me I put in a garden with lettuce, radishes, leeks and the like. If you decide to grow one too shoot me an email on the contact page. Now grow out there and do something!  xo April

FarmLab
http://www.farmlab.org/2009/02/anabolic-monument.html
Ames Historical Society
 http://www.ameshistoricalsociety.org/exhibits/events/rationing.htm